Michigan House Bill HB4351

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/22/25
• Refer: 4/22/25
• Report Pass: 10/21/25
• Engrossed: 11/13/25
• Refer: 12/2/25

Caption

House Bill 4351 of 2025

Summary

HB4351 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate a specific segment of US-41 in Menominee County, between US-2 and County Road 374, as the "SPC David Anthony Wilkey Jr. Memorial Highway." The bill is a commemorative measure honoring Specialist David Anthony Wilkey Jr. by attaching his name to a defined portion of state highway infrastructure. The bill does not change traffic rules, funding, or highway operations; its legal effect is to add a new memorial highway designation to the existing statutory list in 2001 PA 142. In practical terms, the Michigan Department of Transportation and local authorities would recognize and potentially mark the route with memorial signage consistent with the act.

Impact

HB4351 would amend 2001 PA 142, the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, by adding a new section that formally names a stretch of US-41 in Menominee County. The affected statute is the memorial highway law itself, and the affected parties are primarily state transportation officials responsible for signage and route designation, along with the local community and the family or legacy of SPC David Anthony Wilkey Jr. The bill has no apparent fiscal, regulatory, or enforcement impact beyond the honorary designation.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests broad bipartisan support and little controversy. The bill was reported from committee without amendment by a 16-0 vote and later passed the House on third reading with immediate effect by a 101-0 vote. No committee transcripts were provided, but the unanimous votes indicate the measure was viewed favorably as a ceremonial tribute rather than a substantive policy change.

Contention

There is no recorded substantive opposition in the provided materials. Because the bill is a memorial highway designation, any discussion would likely have centered on the appropriateness of honoring SPC David Anthony Wilkey Jr. and the exact highway segment to be named, but the unanimous committee and floor votes suggest no notable disagreement among legislators. The absence of amendments also indicates the proposal was straightforward and noncontroversial.